LED Instrument Internal lighting Problem

[BPT]

Just to be clear Georgesgiralt - you're saying that it's only the tach where this is a problem, bulbs in other places don't need to be modified?

I'd wondered about the fit also, and whether it might make it looser to remove a wire.  I thought about covering it with some kind of adhesive if I could find something that would stick.

Thanks.

[georgesgiralt]

Have you had problems with the level of lighting of the idiots lights (oil, high beam and neutral ? ) I don't think so. So it is not necessary to put highly bright LED in those places. Add to this that putting one in charging light may be detrimental to the alternator system and you'll stick to the general lighting of the instruments (which I did). I glued the LED circuit to the plastic housing using neoprene glue (contact glue) in order to be able to cut the two wires making the short in the tacho bulb holder.
On the other hand, the speedometer does not need to have the bulb electrically modified to prevent a short, but the bulb must be screwed to the bulb holder to prevent it coming loose in the speedometer.
Hope this helps.

[jp9094]

I am curious about your statement about "screwing" in the bulb to the holder. My '83 r 65LS uses wedge tailed bulbs in the speedo, tacho and turn signal indicators. They are type 194 bulbs and are just pressed into place. Perhaps there are two types of bulb holders and bulbs? Have just ordered some replacement LED type 194 bulbs and will see how it goes when they arrive.

TIA

[Bob_Roller]

I ' think ' , that he is referring to drilling a small hole in the bulb holder and then use a small sheetmetal type screw to hold the bulb in place .

I went to Superbrightled website and took a look at the 194 type bulbs they had .
All of them have the wire contact over the end of the bulb and folded over on the other side, so you have been warned !!!!

[georgesgiralt]

"I ' think ' , that he is referring to drilling a small hole in the bulb holder and then use a small sheetmetal type screw to hold the bulb in place ."
Yes, it is what I've done. The difficult part was to find a sufficiently small and short sheet metal screw.

[jp9094]

Just an update with some photos. My $3.95 LED's arrived from Motorrad Elektrik today.

As you can see, if you perceive a problem with the wires going around to the other side of the bulb, it is a 10 second job to bend the wire up and cut it to lenght so it does'nt cross to the other side. Makes a big difference as you can see! I seem to be having problems attaching more than one photo to this so will send one then the others separately,

Ta to all,

[jp9094]

Second photo.

[jp9094]

Last one!

[Bob_Roller]

You have to admit a marked improvement in illumination of the indicator .
Especially for old eyes !!!

[jp9094]

Just a follow up. The sockets for the 194 wedge type bulb use a "spring" type action to hold the bulb in place. Due to their age, squeezing the sockets together to get a tighter hols sometimes results in one arm snapping off (don't ask how I know). I asked elsewhere on the forum about replacing them, but they are "NLA". Found something that appears to be the same on Amazon for "cheap" and have ordered some. If they work out, I will put the link up. Heres hoping!

FWIW